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Image and video CDN with media library · by ImageKit.io

ImageKit

Real-time image and video optimisation CDN with an integrated media library, a forever-free plan and paid plans billed on bandwidth and storage.

Visit imagekit.io ↗ Alternatives Free tier
ImageKit homepage
§1

Overview

ImageKit is an image and video CDN that optimises and transforms media in real time through URL parameters: resizing, cropping, format conversion, compression, AI effects such as generative fill and background changes, and video transcoding with streaming. It includes a media library for uploads with digital asset management features such as access control, collections and public links.

You can upload files to ImageKit's own storage or connect existing origins such as an S3 bucket or web server, in which case only bandwidth and processing are billed, not storage. This makes it a practical way to add optimisation in front of object storage you already use.

The forever-free plan includes 20 GB of bandwidth a month (about a million images), 3 GB of media storage and 500 video processing units; delivery stops when you hit the bandwidth limit until the month resets. A pay-as-you-go Lite plan allows overage at $0.50/GB bandwidth and $0.10/GB storage. Pro costs $89 a month with 225 GB of bandwidth and storage each and overage at $0.45 and $0.09 per GB.

Bandwidth is billed on the optimised size served, which rewards good compression, but at $0.45 to $0.50 per GB it is far more than raw CDN or object storage egress.

§2

Pricing and plans

Free tier

20 GB bandwidth per month, 3 GB media storage, 500 video units, 2 users

At the limit Stops at the limit Media delivery stops when the 20 GB monthly bandwidth limit is reached; it resets at the start of the next calendar month.

Plan Price What you get
Forever free $0 20 GB bandwidth, 3 GB storage, 500 video units, 2 users; delivery stops at the limit
Lite Not shown 40 GB bandwidth then $0.50/GB; 10 GB storage then $0.10/GB; overage allowed
Pro $89/mo 225 GB bandwidth then $0.45/GB; 225 GB storage then $0.09/GB; 3 users
Enterprise Custom SSO, custom CDN, advanced security, custom limits

The Lite plan's base price did not appear in the text of the pricing page we could read. Pro has a minimum bill of $89 a month even if usage is lower. Bandwidth is measured on the optimised output, not the original file size. Image transformations do not count toward storage; video transformations do. ImageKit says it contacts customers whose usage exceeds $300 a month about custom pricing. Connecting external storage (S3 or your server) does not count toward ImageKit storage.

Source: imagekit.io/plans/ · prices as published, excluding tax.

§3

What it does

URL transformations
Resize, crop, format conversion, compression and effects applied through URL parameters.
External origins
Optimise images from your own S3 bucket or web server without moving them.
Media library and DAM
Upload storage with access control, collections, public links and, on higher plans, audit logs and backups.
Video processing
Transcoding and streaming billed in video processing units by output duration and resolution.
AI features
Generative fill, text-to-image, drop shadows and auto-descriptions on paid plans.
§4

Strengths and limitations

Strengths

  • Forever-free plan with a hard stop instead of surprise charges
  • Works in front of existing S3 or web origins
  • Bandwidth billed on optimised output size
  • Combined image CDN, video processing and DAM

Limitations

  • Free plan delivery stops at 20 GB bandwidth until the next month
  • Pro has an $89 monthly minimum
  • Bandwidth overage at $0.45 to $0.50 per GB
  • Lite plan's base price is not clearly published on the pricing page
§5

Who it suits

Good for

  • Sites needing responsive, optimised images
  • Adding optimisation in front of an existing S3 bucket
  • Small projects wanting a capped free plan

Look elsewhere if

  • Bulk file or backup storage
  • High-bandwidth downloads of non-image files
§6

Alternatives to ImageKit

Tool From Free option Stages
Supabase Managed Postgres backend platform
$25/mo Free tier
Tigris Globally distributed object storage
Usage-based Free tier
Bunny Storage Edge-replicated storage
Usage-based Paid
Cloudflare R2 Egress-free object storage
Usage-based Free tier
Scaleway Object Storage EU object storage
Usage-based Paid
Backblaze B2 Cloud Storage Low-cost object storage
Usage-based Free tier

All file and object storage →

§7

Questions

Is ImageKit free?

Yes. The forever-free plan includes 20 GB of bandwidth, 3 GB of storage and 500 video units a month.

What happens when I exceed ImageKit's free bandwidth?

Media delivery stops until the limit resets at the start of the next calendar month.

How much does ImageKit Pro cost?

$89 a month including 225 GB of bandwidth and 225 GB of storage, with overage at $0.45/GB and $0.09/GB.

Can ImageKit use my S3 bucket?

Yes. You can connect S3 or your own server as an origin, and that storage does not count toward ImageKit's storage billing.

Sources read for this page